Rhodes: Cruise to Symi & St George’s Bay with Hotel Transfer

Symi is the star here: a pretty island of pastel houses, steep hills, colorful domes, and a harbor that looks made for a postcard. The high-speed Aphrodite Royal gets you there in about an hour, leaving a useful three hours on shore instead of turning the day into a long ferry ride.

I like two things especially: the free time gives you room for lunch and wandering, and the stop at St George’s Bay adds a fine swimming break to what could otherwise be just a sightseeing trip. The main caution is the sea. The fast boat can spray water in windy weather, and the swim may be shortened if conditions turn rough.

Key points to know before booking

• One-hour crossing: The fast boat cuts the trip from Rhodes to Symi to roughly 60 minutes.
• Three hours in Symi: You have time for the harbor, narrow lanes, shops, viewpoints, and a waterfront lunch.
• St George’s Bay swim: The scheduled stop is 30 minutes on the 9:00 and 11:00 departures, weather permitting.
• Hotel pickup: Transfers can be arranged from Faliraki, Kalithea, Ixia, Kremasti, and Kolymbia.
• Open-air boat: Seats are arranged in bucket-style seating, with open-air areas that help on hot days.
• A flexible choice: Cancel up to 24 hours ahead, and reserve now while paying later.

The 11:00 departure from Mandraki Harbour

The main daytime schedule leaves Mandraki Harbour at 11:00 and returns to Rhodes at about 17:00. That gives you a clean six-hour outing, with the day split between the ride, Symi, and St George’s Bay.

If you book hotel pickup, the service covers selected resort areas including Faliraki, Kalithea, Ixia, Kremasti, and Kolymbia. The office arranges the details through WhatsApp, so keep an eye on your phone. Pickup can be organized until 22:00 the evening before, but a late booking for the next morning may not leave enough time for a transfer to be arranged.

At the harbor, allow time to check in and receive your boarding pass before boarding. The boat used for this trip is the Aphrodite Royal, a new, sleek red vessel that several passengers compare to a Ferrari. That comparison is not subtle, but it does describe the boat’s sporty look.

The boat has open-air seating, and each person receives a bucket seat rather than having to scramble for a place. That matters during a busy summer crossing. Some passengers find the seats a little small or firm, so if you are sensitive to seating comfort, remember that the trip is only about an hour each way.

A quick crossing with plenty of sea spray

The fast boat reaches Symi in approximately 60 minutes, and on calm days the ride is smooth and easy. You get coastal views along the way, though the main benefit is simple: less time sitting on a boat and more time on the island.

Speed also changes the feel of the journey. In windy weather, spray can reach the seating area. One useful tip is to choose a seat farther back on the lower deck if you want a calmer ride. The boat can still feel lively when the sea is choppy, but the crossing is short enough that most people will find it manageable.

The captain may alter the route or swimming stop for safety. That is worth accepting from the start. A trip to Symi is not improved by forcing a stop in rough water, and the schedule is always subject to sea conditions.

Arriving at Symi’s colorful harbor

Symi’s harbor is the first major reward. The water is clear and blue-green, and rows of pastel neoclassical houses climb the hills around the bay. Small balconies, painted shutters, and church domes give the waterfront a distinctive look that feels very different from Rhodes Town.

You arrive with three hours of free time and no fixed walking tour. I like that arrangement because Symi works best when you set your own pace. You can stay near the water, wander into the small lanes, browse shops, or walk uphill for views over the harbor.

Three hours is enough for a good first look, but it is not enough to explore every corner of the island. You should think of this as a focused visit to the harbor town, not a full island tour. If you want to see distant beaches or spend a quiet night in Symi, this day cruise will feel too brief. For a first visit from Rhodes, though, the timing is practical.

A map and suggestions about places to see may be provided by the tour team. That can help you get your bearings quickly without turning your free time into a guided march.

How to use your three hours in Symi

Start with a slow walk along the waterfront. The harbor is the easiest place to enjoy the architecture, take photos, and compare the small fishing boats with the larger excursion vessels. It is also where you will find the greatest choice of restaurants and shops.

Next, head into the narrow lanes. The streets rise quickly in places, so comfortable shoes are sensible. You might find quiet corners just a few minutes from the waterfront, along with small shops selling souvenirs and local products.

Leave enough time for lunch. Symi shrimp is the island’s signature dish and is the food to look for on a menu. Waterfront tavernas make lunch part of the sightseeing, but prices and portions can vary, so check the menu before sitting down. Food and drinks are not included in the cruise price.

If you want photographs from above, use part of your free time for an uphill walk. The harbor views improve as you climb, but the heat can be strong in summer. You will need to balance viewpoints with the return meeting time. Missing the boat is not a good way to extend your stay.

Families can use the three hours well. Children may enjoy the small lanes, colorful buildings, fish near the water, and the simple pleasure of exploring without a rigid schedule. Couples can split the time between lunch, photographs, and a quiet walk. The same freedom works well for solo visitors, provided you keep an eye on the clock.

St George’s Bay and the 30-minute swim

After Symi, the boat heads to St George’s Bay, a natural cove reachable only by boat. Tall cliffs and clear turquoise water give the stop its dramatic setting. Goats may be visible along the shore, adding a slightly comic touch to an otherwise polished postcard scene.

For the 9:00 and 11:00 departures, the planned stop is 30 minutes. That is enough time for a brisk swim and a look around, but it is not a long beach visit. The boat remains your base, so bring your swimsuit under your clothes and keep your towel easy to reach.

Floatation aids may be available, which helps if you are not a confident swimmer. Still, you should treat the stop as an open-water swim rather than a supervised pool session. Stay close to the boat and follow the crew’s instructions.

The water is the reason to take this cruise instead of a simple transport service. After three hours of walking and sightseeing in Symi, a cool swim feels like a proper break. The limitation is time. Some passengers wish the stop lasted longer, and on windy days the captain may reduce it to around 25 minutes or change the plan completely.

The published details contain one inconsistency: one section refers to a one-hour swim stop, while the schedule and itinerary describe a 30-minute stop. Plan around 30 minutes. That is the clear timing given for the 9:00 and 11:00 cruises.

The return to Rhodes by 17:00

After the swim, you board again for the return crossing. The boat reaches Rhodes around 17:00 on the standard 11:00 departure, giving you the evening free for dinner or a walk through Rhodes Town.

The return ride can be as smooth as the outward trip, though weather controls the experience. If you are prone to motion sickness, sit where you feel most stable, avoid a heavy meal just before sailing, and keep water nearby. Snacks and drinks are not included, so bring something from Rhodes or buy lunch in Symi.

The 15:15 departure offers a different kind of day. It does not include a swim at St George’s Bay, only a five-minute photo stop. In exchange, you see Symi at a cooler and usually less crowded time, and the return journey may include sunset views. This is a better choice for you if photographs and a later, gentler schedule matter more than swimming.

There is also a Friday night cruise departing at 17:00 and returning at 22:00. That option does not include the St George’s Bay swim or photo stop. It is a separate evening format, so check the departure time carefully when booking.

What the $69 price gives you

At $69 per person, the value comes from the combination of transport and a useful block of time in Symi. You are not paying for a guided walking tour or a meal. You are paying for a fast crossing, three hours on one of the Dodecanese’ most attractive islands, and a boat-only stop at St George’s Bay.

The hotel transfer can make the price more worthwhile if you are staying in one of the covered resort areas. A transfer saves you the trouble of arranging your own way to Mandraki Harbour, though you need to select that option at checkout and confirm the details through WhatsApp.

For a family, the cost adds up quickly, but the schedule is easy to understand and includes two strong attractions in one day. For couples, the mix of free time, harbor views, lunch, and swimming feels well balanced. If your main goal is a long beach day, you will get better value from another type of excursion. If you want to see Symi without losing most of the day to transport, this price is more convincing.

The high rating of 4.9 from 733 ratings also fits the practical strengths of the trip: the crossing is fast, the schedule is clear, and the boat and transfers are generally praised for being well organized. That does not remove the weather risk or the short swim time, but it points to a service that usually delivers what it promises.

Who should choose this cruise

I would choose this trip if you are staying in Rhodes and want to see Symi in one day without spending several hours on a slow boat. It suits couples, families with older children, and anyone who prefers independent exploring to a guide leading every step.

Families should note that children aged 8 and 12 have enjoyed the speed of the crossing, the lanes of Symi, and the swim stop. The boat’s bucket seats and open-air layout are useful on hot days, though younger children still need close supervision around the water.

This is also a good fit for photographers. Symi offers colorful houses, boats, domes, balconies, and uphill views, while St George’s Bay provides the clear-water setting. The 15:15 departure may suit you better if sunset light is more important than swimming.

I would think twice if you dislike fast boats, get uncomfortable in choppy seas, or need a long swimming session. The boat may spray in windy weather, some seating can feel cramped, and the captain may shorten or change the swim stop for safety.

Practical tips for a smoother day

Bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, a hat, and water. Food and drinks are not included, so plan to buy lunch and refreshments in Symi or bring your own supplies.

Wear shoes suitable for uphill streets and uneven lanes. Keep some money aside for lunch, drinks, and shopping, and do not use every minute of your free time away from the harbor. You need to return to the boat on time.

If you want a quieter seat, consider the lower deck toward the back. Open-air seats help with the summer heat, but the fast crossing can still produce spray when the wind rises.

Confirm your hotel transfer before the office closes at 22:00 the previous evening. The transfer area is limited, and last-minute arrangements for the next day may not be possible.

The crew speaks English and Greek. Staff members James and Mike have been singled out for attentive service, with Mike often recognized by his hat. The captain has the final say on the route and swim stop.

Should you book it?

Book this cruise if you want a fast, well-paced introduction to Symi with time for lunch and independent exploring. The strongest feature is the efficient crossing, followed by a genuinely beautiful swim stop at St George’s Bay.

Do not book it expecting a full island tour, a long beach stop, or a guaranteed swim in all weather. You get about 30 minutes in the bay, not an hour, and conditions can change the plan.

For most people spending a holiday in Rhodes, the $69 price is fair because it combines two memorable places in a single six-hour outing. Select the 11:00 departure for the best balance of Symi time and swimming. Choose 15:15 if you prefer a cooler visit and sunset views, and skip the Friday night option if swimming is essential.

FAQ

How long is the cruise from Rhodes to Symi?

The high-speed boat takes approximately 60 minutes each way between Rhodes and Symi.

How much free time do I get in Symi?

The standard cruise provides three hours of free time on Symi Island.

What can I do during the three hours in Symi?

You can walk around the pastel harbor, explore narrow lanes, visit shops and viewpoints, and have lunch at a waterfront taverna. Symi shrimp is the island’s signature dish.

Is swimming at St George’s Bay included?

The 9:00 and 11:00 departures include a planned swim stop at St George’s Bay. The scheduled swim time is 30 minutes, subject to weather and the captain’s decision.

Is the St George’s Bay stop a beach visit?

No. St George’s Bay is accessible only by boat, and you swim from the boat or relax onboard while enjoying the cove.

Does the 15:15 departure include swimming?

No. The 15:15 departure does not include swimming at St George’s Bay. It includes a five-minute photo stop instead.

Does the Friday 17:00 cruise include St George’s Bay?

No. The Friday night cruise does not stop at St George’s Bay for swimming or photographs and returns to Rhodes at about 22:00.

Is hotel pickup available?

Hotel transfer can be arranged from Faliraki, Kalithea, Ixia, Kremasti, and Kolymbia when the transfer option is selected at checkout.

Are food and drinks included?

No. Snacks and drinks are not included in the price.

Can the route change because of the weather?

Yes. The captain may change the route or swimming stop according to sea and weather conditions.